The Longmont City Council voted 7-0 Tuesday to try for a stage in the third USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a bicycle race that drew more than 1 million spectators to Colorado last summer. Race organizers estimate that the event had an $83.5 million economic impact on the state.

About 35 cities are applying to be part of the race, between 10 and 14 will be chosen. Last year's race put the end of one stage in Boulder; that city estimated an economic impact of $1.2 million, including sales tax revenues of $48,133.

Boulder recently announced it would not try for another Pro Cycling Challenge stage in 2013. Members of its organizing committee have offered to help Longmont with its own preparations.

"This is not going to be like the London Olympics, where everyone wants to flee town?" teased Councilwoman Sarah Levison.

"They will," joked Joe Ward, the executive director of Visit Longmont. Speaking more seriously, he said he was in Lyons when the race passed through; far from evacuating, he said, people were filling the parks and the restaurants.

"Something I don't see here is the value of having the community's name on television over and over and over again," Councilwoman Katie Witt said. "I think the tax revenue is just the icing on the cake."

Organizers also hope to minimize the stress by having the race stage be held at the same time as the Festival on Main, allowing it to take advantage of the existing road closures.

Ward, along with Scott Conlin of Bicycle Longmont -- both members of Longmont's organizing committee -- said if the city qualified, the committee hopes to raise $270,000 for the race. Of that, the aim would be to raise $100,000 from sales and sponsorships, while another $93,000 would involve city support, largely in public safety and street expenses.

Between $35,000 and $40,000 is planned to come from Visit Longmont; the rest would be part of the Longmont Downtown Development Authority's expenses for the Festival on Main.

Councilman Alex Sammoury urged the local committee to set its sights higher for private fundraising, just in case.

"Our budget is kind of tight and you may want to come back and ask for more money," Sammoury said. "What I would encourage you to do is to raise $170,000 in sponsorship, so that if you have to come back to the city, it won't be that big of a hit."

Councilman Gabe Santos also urged volunteers to come forward and help if Longmont is picked.

"If you're interested in helping make this a reality, volunteer," he said. "We can't do it all."

The chosen cities are expected to be announced in mid-December.

In other action:

The City Council put off talking about a plan for the new city ward boundaries. Councilwoman Bonnie Finley said she first wanted to see how the precincts broke down by party registration.

"Does that matter?" Councilwoman Sarah Levison asked. "We have to look at city elections as being non-partisan."

"I'll point out the elephant in the room," Councilman Brian Bagley said. "We're a very partisan group and I think it should be a level playing field. One thing I've learned -- Longmont politics are hard-core, full-contact partisan."

Several residents spoke about the newly passed ban on fracking. Resident Joel Champion asked the council to have an open forum where it could discuss the "adverse consequences" of a ban; many others who had supported the ban urged the city to defend it strongly.

"All right," resident Fred Gabriel said with a smile. "We're now getting double extra super sued. We've got them right where we want them."

The council passed an ordinance allowing Longmont Power and Communications to set telecommunications rates and offer service through its fiber-optic loop, once it's ready to begin connecting businesses and residents.

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